Environmental Health Officer (ANZSCO 251311)
Updated
What an Environmental Health Officer does
Develops, enforces and evaluates environmental health policies, programs and strategies to improve health outcomes, and oversees the implementation and monitoring of environmental health legislation. Registration or licensing may be required.
- Specialisations
- Food Safety Auditor, Food Safety Officer
Key facts
- ANZSCO code
- 251311
- Skill level
- 1Bachelor degree or higher
- Skilled lists
- Regional Occupation List (ROL)
- Assessing authority
- VETASSESS
- National shortage
- Regional shortage
Visa options
Occupation eligibility is one requirement; each visa page links to the rest.
Points-tested
- Subclass 189 Skilled IndependentNot on its occupation listsNot eligible
- Subclass 190 Skilled NominatedNot on its occupation listsNot eligible
- Subclass 491, state or territory nominatedVia ROLEligible
- Subclass 491, family sponsoredNot on its occupation listsNot eligible
Employer-sponsored
- Subclass 482 Skills in Demand, Core Skills streamNot on its occupation listsNot eligible
- Subclass 186 Employer Nomination Scheme, Direct Entry streamNot on its occupation listsNot eligible
Main tasks
- developing, implementing and reviewing environmental health management plans and occupational health and safety plans
- preparing and implementing plans and strategies for the safe, economic, and suitable disposal of commercial, industrial, medical and household wastes
- advising on and enforcing legislation, implementing prevention programs and strategies for communicable diseases, food safety, waste water treatment and disposal systems, recreation and domestic water quality, contaminated and hazardous substances, and minimising air, sea, water and noise pollution to improve health outcomes
- identifying hazards, and assessing and controlling risks in the workplace
- developing, implementing and monitoring programs minimising workplace and environmental pollution involving chemical and physical hazards
- promoting ergonomic principles within the workplace such as matching furniture, equipment and work activities to the needs of employees
- inspecting and auditing workplaces, processes, plant, and chemical and physical hazards for legislative compliance
- training employees in personal protective equipment and safe working procedures
- recording and investigating injuries and equipment damage, and reporting safety performance
- coordinating the return of injured workers into the workplace
Shortage by state
- NationalRegional shortage
- ACTShortage
- NSWRegional shortage
- NTRegional shortage
- QLDRegional shortage
- SARegional shortage
- TASRegional shortage
- VICRegional shortage
- WARegional shortage
State and territory nomination
For the 190 and 491, each state and territory also has its own occupation list.
Common questions
What does an Environmental Health Officer do?
Develops, enforces and evaluates environmental health policies, programs and strategies to improve health outcomes, and oversees the implementation and monitoring of environmental health legislation. Registration or licensing may be required. (ABS ANZSCO description.)
Is Environmental Health Officer on the skilled occupation list?
Yes. Environmental Health Officer (ANZSCO 251311) is on the Regional Occupation List (ROL) (lists in force from 14 December 2024). It is listed for the 491 and 494 visas.
What is the ANZSCO code for Environmental Health Officer?
251311. Home Affairs uses ANZSCO codes for skilled visas.
How can an Environmental Health Officer migrate to Australia?
The occupation lists Home Affairs publishes include Environmental Health Officer for the Subclass 491 and Subclass 494 visas. Being on a list is one requirement among several; each visa's page links to Home Affairs for the rest.
Who assesses Environmental Health Officer for an Australian visa?
VETASSESS, the skills assessing authority listed for 251311.
Is Environmental Health Officer in demand in Australia?
Jobs and Skills Australia rated it "Regional shortage" nationally in its 2025 Occupation Shortage List, with ratings for each state and territory shown above.